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PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE Mrs. R. C. Walker. Provincial Curator. speaks 10 the Provincial Board about the Tweedsmuir Histories and the duties of the Curators. . _ It is gratifying to again note the enthusiasm'wlth which the compiling of our Tweedsmutr Histories IS continuing year after year. Although wedo find some groups which just tag along. the majority of our Branches throughout Ontario are aware of the value of these histories. and the use of them by OUtSlde groups. 7 Of course. as in all fields of endeavour. there is apathy in some places. Some feel they do not have the time 7 but then. none of us have if we don’t Wish to find the time. Some feel they do not have the ability of writing stories 7 but not all of us have the art of words like some more gifted. Others complain they do not receive assistance from folk of the community 7 but then. not everyone has the power or desire to draft help from those around them. These are all virtues that we can cultivate to some degree. if we but apply ourselves. Let us all try them. As I have often said over the years. we just never seem to be able to get final totals of the Histories in our Districts, or Areas. Some District Curators have still never bothered to get to know their subordinates. nor how these folk are really getting along with their histories, This is also true at Area level. Occasionally some Area Curators have complained in their reports that the number of Branches and number of Tweeds- muir Histories were not the same 7 that there were more Histories than Branches. This should be the case in many of our Districts. lfa Branch disbands and has a Tweedsmuir History. this History is always included in future reports from that District. Thus we have many Districts throughout the Province with several less number of Branches than number of Tweedsmuir Histories. When we are reporting. though. please remember that regardless of the number of volumes to a Tweedsâ€" muir History. or if there is a supplementary Record Book or Scrapbook. each Branch does not have more than one Tweedsmuir History 7 and ifa Record Book is also kept. it is' not counted. However. if a Branch keeps only a Record Book (not a true Tweedsmuir History) then. at Area level, this is included in the Tweedsmuir History count. We find more and more of the Branches are recogâ€" nizing the Curator with giving her the privilege of hav- ing a Curator‘s meeting one month of the year. And. believe it or not. occasionally we note she has been ho- noured with a banquet ticket to a Convention or Dis- trict Annual. or some other small token of respect for her untiring efforts. Could this not be done more of- ten? Mainly we find our Curators are dedicated women. Now that there is a sixâ€"year term (beginning in 1972). there should be a trend to more involvement among the membership. We also find that more Curators are having. and accepting the help of. committees. Re~ member folk outside the Women‘s institute shonld be included on our Tweedsmuir History Committee. This makes for a much better type of history. New ideas. new ways. new subjects. etc. will show in our Histories. and this is good. Let us not get in the rut ofour former 16 Curator. So long as we cover the various types of his- tory needed to show the development and changes in our community. our social life, our people. and our in. volvements. the methods of how this is accomplished is the initiative of the Curator and her Committee We find many Branches still asking for Mdnuak When a Curator is replaced by another. the Yeth Manual. the Tweedsmuir History. and all material are passed along to the new Curator. This is not heing done in some Branches â€" as I have found at \‘sntrki shops. Owing to the restraint requested by the Mir; -r._ there are to be fewer Tweedsmuir History Work“. P.“ and we are asking for a wider scope in the attend Where Workshops are being held we have notifie m various surrounding Districts to take part. ifttiey i. and we do find there has been excellent attendan .0 far. We have especially enjoyed the Curator mce it held in the London. Guelph and Hamilton A 2 Those attending include Area and District Curw their Committees. and any other interested Br ii Curator, These gatherings are stimulating and l'~ Li enthusiasm with the extensive discussions and c" its. A long list of Tweedsmuir Histories has been -. into the Archives for microfilming, and we trast work will progress to the satisfaction of those Wu : to have their books called in. Remember when 1 write me to have your book microfilmed: Note: 1. have your pages numbered. and 2. set up a complete Table of Contents in the it THEN when your book is returned from the Arcln BE SURE TO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO EVER! I would like to congratulate those Curators are promoting the House Logs in their commun You have often heard me say. during these past let fifteen years. had we found House Logs in all of homes. our researching for our Tweedsmuir Histo: would have been almost nil. I would like to congra late Simcoe County for their work in this field. Ct tests are being held. and under the direction of M Don Harvie there were Classes for the House Logs the Orillia Fall Fair. Doubtless there will be ma- more House Logs shown next year. now that folk hu seen what can so easily be done. When encouragi. the people of your community in doing a House Lrl be sure to stress the fact that the HOUSE LOG Rt MAINS IN THE HOUSE FROM ONE FAMILY T ANOTHER. In closing. may I again extend my sincere thanks i all ofthe Curators â€" at all levels 7 for their fine wen in the Tweedsmuir Histories. and for the prompt n porting. Also my sincere'appreciation and thanks 1 the Provincial Board. to Miss McKercher. and to th Ministry of Agriculture and Food. for the privilege L‘ being Provincial Curator for these twenty-one years» 5 Recommendations: 1. Let us have a true count of the Tweedsmuir His tories in each District. 2. May we have an updated list ofthe Branches. Cura- tors. addresses and codes from each District. 3. Let us strive to have a house log in each Womcn3 Institute member‘s home during this coming year-